We're in a giant car heading towards a brick wall and everyone's arguing over where they're going to sit.- David Suzuki

Over the past few weeks there has been more discussion in the media than ever about climate change, and because of that, you may be more confused than ever about what exactly climate change is and how it impacts your life. All too often, media outlets seem more concerned with giving people the opportunity not to educate, but to argue with each other about whose opinions are the correct opinions, with little time to offer concrete information and facts for the rest of us.

Like many people, you may have been so exhausted by the constant bickering you see that you have tuned out and turned off when the words "climate change" are even mentioned. Unfortunately, when complex information is compressed into short, and often angry, sound bites, the result can leave people frustrated, with more questions than answers.

What really is climate change?Is climate change real?What happens to the Earth with climate change?Why is weather not climate change?How do I see effects of climate change?​Does climate change impact my community? My family?Can I really do anything about global climate change? Should I?

Although it can be confusing and disheartening to listen to the constant climate bickering on TV and other places, there are many other resources available to you to help get your questions answered. By using multiple scientific sources, you can create your own informed opinion on the topic and use that insight to guide the decisions and choices that you and your family make. As with any topic, personal knowledge is power!

There are hundreds of sites, books, lectures, and classes available on climate science and climate change from sources such as scientific collaborations, educational institutions, governmental agencies (often at local, state, and federal levels) and others. The following are a few examples of governmental, educational, and scientific sources to get you started on your climate change education journey. Some sites are more easily understood by adults, and others are more for children, so everyone in your family can be involved in learning.

These are but a few of the hundreds, if not thousands, of resources available to anyone who is looking for more information about our changing planet and the natural world. There are any number of additional reputable sources of climate change information that are accessible to people of all ages.

Since we all live on the same small planet, we all have both the opportunity and the responsibility to become more active in educating ourselves about our own roles within the natural world. It is time for all of us to leave behind the angry debates and TV soundbites that too often offer more noise than substance.

Today, it is up to each of us to gather information for ourselves about our changing planet from different organizations, viewpoints, and experiences. Only then, armed with facts and education, can every one of us can make better decisions about how we can positively impact the future of our planet.

Our generation has inherited an incredibly beautiful world from our parents and they from their parents. It is in our hands whether our children and their children inherit the same world.- Richard Branson

The summer of 2016 was one of the driest on record, prompting many cities and towns to enact water use restrictions in order to conserve the resources needed for their residents. While October has certainly seen more rainfall in our area, it's important not to forget that overall rainfall totals are still short of their expected amounts for the year. Long term effects of continued precipitation shortfalls can lead to water well failures, crop and garden failures, municipal water reservoirs drying up, and other problems for homeowners, famers, and businesses.

What does all of this mean? Well, in order to make the most of the water we do have available both now and in the seasons to come, it is important to maintain many of our water conservation efforts not just in the summer, but all throughout the year. In summer's heat it is often easier to remember that water conservation is important. But by adjusting our homes and habits throughout the year, we can continue to conserve this important resource in every season.

To help educate homeowners about the many ways they can work to conserve water resources, the EPA has produced Water Sense, a guide for saving water that will not only protect our resources, but may also save money on your water bill! Most changes are common sense and low cost, but even those upgrades that cost a little more will quickly repay themselves in the cost of water saved.

As drought and aquifer mining begin to call attention to an increasing global water crisis, people are seeking ways minimize impact on their municipal water supplies. Rainwater is considered a renewable natural resource, and the use of rain barrels can be part of the solution. Just look outside your window the next time it rains and imagine all the water that’s running down your driveway being put to beneficial use in your home and garden!

Collecting rainwater for use during dry months in rain barrels or other depositories is an ancient and traditional practice. Historical records show that rainwater was collected in simple clay containers as far back as 2,000 years ago in Thailand, and throughout other areas of the world after that. For modern humans, a rain barrel is an inexpensive and effortless way to capture mineral- and chlorine-free water for watering lawns, yards, and gardens, as well as washing cars or rinsing windows. By harnessing what's literally raining from the sky, you'll not only notice a marked dip in water costs, but also a reduction in storm water runoff, which in turn helps prevent erosion and flooding.

When preparing your rain barrel, keep a few tips in mind. A rain barrel should include a screen to keep out debris. Ensure that your rain barrel has a cover and a tight connection where water enters the barrel to prevent mosquito breeding and algae buildup. If roof contaminants are a concern, Stroud Water Research Center recommends emptying the first collected rainwater from the bottom of the barrel. Rain barrels should not be used if your roof contains asbestos. Also, your garden plants may love the rainwater, but water collected in rain barrels is not suitable for human consumption.

​Wind power is a fast growing green energy source. Having been used for farming and domestic work for centuries, todays technology has taken wind energy and made it accessible, efficient and cost-effective. Most people associate wind energy with large turbines on the coasts or in fields, but small wind electric systems are now becoming an option for home-based renewable energy.

Historically, windmills were built to grind grain, cut logs or pump water. Todays models work similarly but rather than perform a chore, the turbine creates energy that can be stored and used commercially or residentially in the electric grid system.

Believe it or not, wind is actually a form of solar energy. Created by the unequal heating of the Earth’s surface, air heats up or cools down and with its rising and falling wind is created.

When that wind spins a turbines' blade, a rotor captures the kinetic energy of the wind and converts it into rotary motion to drive the generator producing usable energy for our homes or businesses. Turbines used in wind farming are often 328 ft. Not exactly a discreet structure! Turbines are built in areas with consistent wind speeds which is why wind farms can be found on the coast or open plains. These areas have few obstacles to break the wind increasing its speed and energy generation.

To bring the green energy to residential areas the turbines had to be decreased in size, ranging from 35-60 ft. For small wind electric systems to be efficient they should be used in areas that have an annual wind speed of 14 miles per hour. Like solar energy, small wind turbine systems have a number of financial benefits from lowering monthly electric bills to keeping your energy flow uninterrupted during power outages. To learn more about residential wind energy or to see if it's an option for your home, check out energy.gov.

​This month marks the beginning of “National Green Week”, a yearly event that encourages the awareness of sustainability. Despite its name, National Green Week actually begins the first week in February and runs until May 16. Using this window of time allows schools or organizations to choose the most convenient week to run programs. So, the NRT has decided to make the entire month of February our very own Green Month! Each Friday we will be highlighting a different green energy sources and ways you can use them in your home. Maybe you’ll even take your very own Green Week challenge!

Sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat are all sources of renewable resources that can be harnessed to create energy. In recent years, the technology has been refined and made more available to the general public. One type of green energy that has seen an increase in use is solar energy - mostly in the form of photovoltaic (PV) cells mounted on the roofs of residential homes. Thanks to rapidly falling prices and gains in efficiency, solar energy use has surged at about 20 percent a year over the past 15 years.

The solar panel works to absorb the light from the sun through a semiconductor like silicon. That energy knocks electrons loose triggering more electrons to become loose and flow freely in a certain direction within the PV cell. Metal contacts located at both the top and bottom of the PV cell draw the loose electrons to the connectors generating the power that can then be used in your home. On a sunny day, the sun’s rays give off approximately 1,000 watts of energy per square meter of the planet’s surface.

Solar energy is an interesting topic and well worth looking into as an alternative energy source. Some simple options for switching to solar energy in your home are solar outdoor lights. If you’re looking to make a bigger commitment to green energy, the State of Massachusetts offers financial and tax incentives to make your home ‘greener’. For further information, check out these informational sites:

Fuel is used in many different ways in modern life, from heating our homes to powering our vehicles. SEveral years ago, fuel prices were on the rise, topping out at over $4 a gallon in many locations, with some prices even higher. At that time, fuel economy became a priority for many people as they chose which cars to drive, and auto makers responded by offering more fuel efficient vehicles.

A few years later, we have seen falling fuel prices once again, leading many people to abandon their hunt for more efficient transportation. Once again auto makers are offering larger and less efficient vehicles, and people are purchasing cars that are much bigger than they need.

Regardless of the current price of fuel, the fact is that over consumption of all fossil fuels is a major contributing factor to climate change. In America, we tend to drive more than in many other developed nation, so our transportation choices do really matter- a lot.

In 2016, consider making an eco-resolution to use less fuels as part of your family's transportation plan. Using less doesn't require you to buy a new vehicle or switch to an electric only car. Rather, there are simple steps you can take that will reduce your fuel consumption and are easy to incorporate into your regular lifestyle. Here are just a few things to try:

Combine trips to nearby stores instead of making several trips throughout the week

Carpool with co-workers

Use public transportation if available

Shop locally whenever possible

Walk, run, bike, or hike in your local neighborhood park or recreation area instead of driving to the gym every day

Watch your driving habits

By making a few small personal changes you will save money in fuel costs, reduce the amount of fossil fuel you use, and make a difference toward climate change. You can make a difference!

Do you every wonder what you personally can do to help fight climate change? In 2016 you can make an eco-resolution that helps to make a positive difference in both your wallet and the environment! By making a commitment to use less electricity in your personal life you will not only help use less resources to produce power, but you will also save money at the same time.

If you are not sure how to make a difference in your electrical use, here are 4 quick tips to help you make and keep your eco-resolution to cut your energy use every month without changing your entire lifestyle:

Tip #1: Replace all of your light bulbs with LED bulbs or other every saving lights. There are energy efficient bulbs in a huge array of styles now, so almost any fixture can use the newest and most efficient technology. Don't forget to change outdoor lights, too.

Tip #2: If purchasing appliances, look for efficient models that use less energy. Most manufacturers are aware that people want to get high quality products that last and save money in the long run. By buying energy efficient appliances, you use less energy and will have a lower electric bill each month.

Tip #3: Unplug unnecessary tools and electronics. The "trickle charge" that many appliances and electronics use, even when they are not turned on, can really add up over time. Unplug items like chargers, video games, computers, or other gadgets when not in use to save both power and cash.

Tip #4: Use timers for electric lights. Do you want your outdoor lights to be on when you get home? Are the living room lights left on during the day so you don't have to enter the house in the dark? Instead of leaving necessary lights on throughout the whole day, use timers to turn the lights on and off when they are needed. Timers are easy to install and inexpensive to purchase, so several lights can be used if needed. There are models for indoor and outdoor lights, whatever your need may be.

There are literally dozens of other ways to reduce your electric energy use at home. By being creative and proactive, you will both help the environment and save yourself money each month. For more ideas, check out the Energy Star website!

Climate change continues to be a hot-button topic for scientists, politicians, community leaders, and citizens. With all of the noise from the arguing that often goes on between all of the experts in print and on TV and radio, it can be hard to make your own informed decisions about what is happening and learn exactly what you and your family can actually do help to address the changes we are all facing.

To help you learn more about the topic of climate change and how we can make a difference as average citizens, we have collected links to resources from many different environmental organizations, universities, and government agencies below. Please feel free to read through them and evaluate their information on your own. We hope this helps you become more familiar with the issue of climate change and helps you to make positive choices for the Earth and your family.